LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com)  Controversial comments about plus-size shoppers made by the CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch have struck an angry chord with women.

The size chart at the popular clothing store doesnt go past a size 10, and thats exactly how Mike Jeffries wants it.

According to Robin Lewis, the author of the New Rules of Retail, Jeffries said he doesnt want larger people shopping in his store. He wants thin and beautiful people. He doesnt want his core customers to see people who arent as hot as them wearing his clothing. People who wear his clothing should feel like theyre one of the cool kids.

In a 2006 interview with Salon magazine, Jeffries admitted his company isnt targeting all shapes and sizes.

He said, A lot of people dont belong (in our clothes), and they cant belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely.

CBS2s Kristine Lazar spoke with a number of women who were outraged about Jeffries stance on what is considered beautiful.

Tells (women) that they need to be a certain size in order to appreciate their body and thats not true, said shopper Andrea Haykel.

To be thin is to be cool, thats what I think (hes saying), said Denise Vanleuvan. Thats not okay.

There are full-figured women out there and they shouldnt be judged by this man, said Jessica Nerio.

Erica Ives, a certified eating disorder specialist, said its up to parents to use the publicity surrounding Jeffries quote to open up a dialogue with their teen.

The first thing is do not minimize their experience. But then, yes, you have to focus on the other traits that make people beautiful, she said.

I was thinking about this fat epidemic just the other day. I remember 20 and 30+ years ago; there simply weren't grossly fat people everywhere I looked. Of course, there was always a fat person every now and then, but not everywhere all the time.

Look around now. Go into a Wal Mart, for example, and take a look around. It seems that at least half the population is grossly FAT these days.

It's even on TV commercials. The characters on TV commercials are 30 or more pounds overweight these days. You just didn't see that kind of thing, just 10 years ago.

We always notice how obese people are here when we go to Europe and come back. Europe has some thick people we have obese people. I hate A&F, and their CEO likes boys, but our country has a problem. (Hint: it starts with the processed food and then the food stamps/free food to the lazy.)

They do have shops for larger sizes....but it’s a psycological thing...many won’t go there because that’s not really how they see themselves...doing so would be admitting what they’re trying hard to deny.

Sounds as if you remember the real Abercrombie and Fitch, which was NYC's answer to LL Bean, only better. They even had their own shotgun brand. It was one's last stop before leaving on a real big game safari.

Started coming unglued when some desperate clerk walked in one day with his own load of #4 buck and offed himself in the store. Bingo. No more new and used gun department.

Canoe? No problem. X-country skis, snowshoes,hiking boots, tents, and really good, stylish country clothes for the real people who populated the US at the time, not sleazy crap for today's metrosexual ani.

There was also the Folbot store further downtown. Got one for my 9th birthday! Worked great for a long while.

Oh yeah, and big game guns. You are correct. Some mighty fine weapons. Now they’ve devolved into a hot steamin’ pile. No silk panties for men back then. LOL! Never went there but I have read about some of the fine weapons.

26
posted on 05/08/2013 9:30:49 PM PDT
by rktman
(BACKGROUND CHECKS? YOU FIRST mr. president(not that we'd get the truth!))

If it took 7 years to resurrect an interview that upsets beached whales, it appears that they have concluded that political correctness and one of the “entitled” cultures see the time is right to get some “feel better” millions$.

What truth? Size 10 isn't hot, it's school-boy skinny - the kind of thing this guy who runs Abercrombie & Fitch goes for. It's his right to market clothes to whoever he pleases, and I support that, but all the fat bashers who reflexively applaud this guy should realize that he'd probably consider you too fat for his store, too. Oh, and he wouldn't want anyone of any size who posts here shopping at his stores.

You would think a retailer would get rich focusing on larger size clothing. I wonder why nobody has come up with a successful business model yet for a clothing chain that caters exclusively to fat people.

By the way, I'm totally serious. There is a huge untapped market out there for stylish clothing that can be worn by fat people.

Thornton Melon: [television commercial] Hi there. Are you a large person? Pleasantly plump? A little on the hefty side, perhaps? Well, let’s face it: Are you FAT? When you go jogging, do you leave pot-holes? When you make love, do you have to give directions? At the zoo, do the elephants throw YOU peanuts? Do you look at a menu and say ‘OK’? Well, now, you can eat all you want, because at Thornton Melon’s “Tall & Fat” stores, we’ve got you covered. That’s right. Fine woolen, and woolen-blend suits and sport coats, in all the larger sizes - husky, stout, extra-stout, and the new Hindenburg line. And for you ladies we have caftans, muumuus, and our own exclusive A-frame in all colors and patterns. Yes, we have miles and miles of fabric. So take it from me, Thornton Melon, if you want to look thin, you hang out with fat people.

“The male models who work as stewards aboard the company jet are required to wear Abercrombie branded polos, jeans, boxer-briefs and flip-flops as part of their uniform, as well as a “spritz” of cologne. The information came to light as a result of a lawsuit that claimed Jeffries fired his pilot in order to replace him with a younger man.”

There are a million reasons to hate Anercrombie. I boycott them for their horrible shirts that are unfair to individuals and groups. They did the Loser shirts and the throw rocks at boys shirts. I hate Abercrombie.

My daughter is a 4-6 and my niece is a 00 (yes Size double zero!) They don't even like the clothe at A&F. I believe one of nieces friends called it “skank central”. (Direct quote)

And just because you don't make a size higher then 10 doesn't mean people don't wear your clothes. I've been to the mall and to high school and there are people wearing clothes that don't fit. You aren't a Size 4 because you squeeze your butt into a Size 4! I am not considered “plus size” but I'd rather see a larger person wearing proper fitting clothes then smaller people squeezing into clothes to try to “fit in”. ‘Cuz they don't “fit in”.

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